Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1887-05-26
LEaaErrs oLosE GAEL.
A wife Murderer just MISSES shc
Fatal Neoae.

Fatal Neoaes
ATLANTA, Ga, May 2s.--Ths story Of
the reprieye OF q Tatnall county muir
doser the other day Ia full Of dramatic in
oidenfs. The man, whose name Ia Leg
gstt, was under sentence Of death for the
murder Of hia wife. He was TO have been
hanged on Friday one week ago. Reids-
VILE, the county seat, where the hanging
was to have taken place, Ia A miles from
the railroad.
When, therefore, Leggett's attorney,
William Clifton Of Savannah, received on
she Thursday before the hanging a de-
layed package from ReidBville signed by
doctors and officials, declaring that Leg
gett was undoubtedly insane, he had TO
act quickly TO save him from the hang
man. He telegraphed 10 Governor Cor
don, only to find that the governor WAS
on train going TO Macon. Other tele-
grams awaited the governor in Macon,
which he answered by ordering Leggotts
reprieve.
On Thursday morning early the order
respiting Leggett until June 18th WAS
drawn up and signed at q private house
in Macon, the necessary blanks having
been taken to Macon for that purpose.
Then telegram was sent 10 the sheriff
OF Tatnali county, ordering him TO sus-
pend the execution and stating that tho
official order was on its way. The tele-
gram 10 Reidsyille was sent TO JohnsOn's
station, on the Savannah, Florida ~
Western railroad, and from there had TO
be taken by messenger about 40 miles
across the country to It's destination.
a a dnuhla taraao ,attn,. fnla,,aI Tl.Eln,,
was telegraphed at Savannah to proceed to
Reidsville at once and deliver the order
in person. No train left Savannah before
evening. Colonel Clifton answered that
he would take that train for Reidsville,
and would get there in time il such o
thing was possible.
The first 20 miles Of his Journey was
through the swamps and lowlands Of
Liberty county, and the remaining 20
miles In Intnall county lay through dense
pine woods. AdYices Just received tell
the story Of his eVentful ride. Armed
with the governors reprieve, tho lawyers
work was only begun. Taking the mid
night train for Wslthamville, MIR. Clifton
reached this station about q. M. From
there he had to GROSS through "A miles OF
swamp and sand before noon TO save his
clients neck. He secured two fine
horses and light carriage and started
out at full gallop.
Meanwhile the country people began TO
pour into Reidsville. Il was the first
hanging in fifty years, and people came
from all directions. They climbed mp
into trees, ON housetops and wherever Il
view could be had. The murderer made
preparation for death and had no idea
that any correspondence had been held
with the governor. At 10 O'Clock the
preacher called upon him, with whom he
prayed and to whom he made full comics.
sion OF the crime.
At 1i.3O the sheriff appeared, and the
march to the gallows, 800 yards away,
was begun. The murderer assembled with
firm step, his feet and arms were bound,
the black cap was adjusted, and the
sheriff was in the act of cutting the rope.
when o voice sang out, "For Gods sake,
Btopn
The sheriff looked up and saw the ap.
preaching carriage, its occupant gesticu-
lating frantically. 1t was Mr.. Clifton,
who had Appeared only just in the nick
of time.
II was 10 minutes before the prisoner
could be convinced that he had not made
the fatal plunge. He was dazed com.
pletely. When he did realize that he was
still living his prayers of gratitude were
profuse. II was about the closest call
ever man had.